Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-05

iTom gnS Ire together.
jesse Leecb, colored, Saw Johnson al
church when it broke up. When he left
church he started On the road to his own
home. When witness and his wife had
gotten a half mile from the church they
saw the fire. He went to the fire, saw
johnson there. .
James Leech. colored, testified that the
prisoner sat in the same seat with him in
the same pew all during the service. Pris-
oner did not Leave the church during the
service
Mary johnson. colored, was also in the
church that night and saw him all during
the service. He did not go out. When
it broke up he went towards his home.
Serena Johnson, (co).-Got to church
that night and saw johnson there. He
staid till the meeting was over. He did
not go out, but when it was over he went
out and turned down towards his own
home.
Mrs. Maria Wriqht. (col), confirmed
the statement of the previous witness.
This witness went home, which is On the
road to Johnson's home, and heard him
behind her laughing and talking with the
preacher, walking on down the road.
Stuart Finley. (col.), confirmed the pre-
vious statements about Johnson 8 presence
at the church. After service walked with
johnson as far as Johnson's house and he
asked me to come in. Did not 60 in but
went on home about 200 yards off. Just
as he got there the fire broke out.
Knatck0I Douglass, (coD Saw johnson
in church, left him standing talking when
it broke up. Charlie Venable, Reil Alb
ney, and himself started for home togeth.
er. They separated and Venable went to
his home towards the barn. When they
got about 100 yards furth er they saw the
barn on fire.
Euely4a Douglass, COL, confirmed the
other statements about Johnson's presence
at the church.
Serena Jane johnson, COL, S-yearold
daughter of the prisoner. Johnson.-W
at home when the fire broke out. When
her father came from church he common
ced eating his supper. Across the road
lived her Aunt Margaret, who raised the
alarm when she saw the fire, and then her
father put on his hat and went to the fire.
Col. Samuel Goode.-He testified about
the distances mentioned by the other
witnesses. He went on to say that the ex-
citement in the community about the
burning Of the barn was greater than he
had ever known, and to be accused Of the
burning was putting a man in as much
danger as he would likely ever to be in.
Witness had a conversation with the pri-
soner after the barn burning, In which the
prisoner said he had heard that he was
charged with the offence. On the mig hit
of the same day johnson aoas arrested. On
the day of the arrest prisoner was very
much alarmed as to the result of any charge
being brought against him.
Geo. Harlan, Justice of the Peace, testi-
fed regarding the paper spoken of in
Charles Venable's evidence (which he af-
simply read the paper to Venable. Wit
ness asked Venable if he fully understood
the paper and he said he did. There was
no threat, hope of reward, or intimidation
used. but the paper was simply read to
him. There was nothing in the manner
of the prisoner to Intimate that he was
ignorant of what he was signing.
DR.. r. A. Me Chesney testified that he
had conversation with Johnson efore
his arrest, in which he told him that he
thought If the man who burned the barn
was caught he would be mobbed. There
was great excitement in the comm unity
and he thought the incendiary would be
hung and so told prisoner.
Preston johnson, the prisoner. was put
on the stand. He said the first part of
Sunday he was at old man Kerr's. AT
night he went to the colored Baptist
church and staid there till it broke up.
After the meeting was over he went home
in company with the preacher and other
friends Whom he named) and ate
his supper. Here witness named
other persons who were at church.
He saw Venable III the church and
V. sat not far from him. Was at
home about ten Or fifteen minutes, and
while he was eating his supper woman
named Margaret gave the alarm of fire.
Put on his coat and went to the fire with
a number of witnesses whom he named,
and who previously ID the trial had testi-
fed that they walked with him to the fire.
When the Constable came to his house to-
arrest him he was much frightened. Had
already heard that Margaret Johnson (wife
of the 100 year old) was accusing him of
the burning. Had been a witness against
one Of Margarets family in case in court.
The statement made by old johnson that
he had said he wished Glover's family had
been burned with it, was wholly untrue.
Had not been on speaking terms with the
old man or his family. Never had been
on bad terms with Venabe that he knew
of. When the church meeting broke up.
witness and his friends started towards
their home, and Venable and his friends
stated for their homes, Venable living
near Glover's barn. Had never offered
Venable money not to testify nor made
any threats. Never had any row with
Mr.. Glover. The only thing was that
four year ago Glover wanted him to &c
to work on the rock pile before breakfast
and he told him he couldn't. Glover re.
piled if man can't work as I want him
he must leave. Then witness replied | II
leave. That was all the trouble he ever
had with Mr.. Glover.
Cross Examined by Mr.. Whlte-The
witness had never understood until thi,
trial that Venable had accused him. A
the Harrisonburg jail lie heard Venable
tell Mr.. Braxton that they two were moi
together that night. Never told Mr.
Rarru while siftlnQ ON the fanea durino